"I started getting nervous" - Joe Rogan details UFC's pandemic protocol, talks about COVID-19 vaccine distribution and doubts over safety

Episode #2241 of The Joe Rogan Experience saw the popular podcaster outline his feelings over the COVID-19 pandemic to American psychedelic drug researcher Rick Strassman. Specifically, he touched on how the UFC managed company safety during the height of the pandemic.

Moreover, Rogan revealed how his feelings about getting vaccinated shifted as the pandemic progressed. He pointed to an early willingness to get vaccinated due to the UFC being among the few sports entities hosting live events when the world was in quarantine, largely owed to their strict safety policy.

"When people were sick, if a fighter's cornerman was sick, all those people were off [the show]. The fighter couldn't compete even if he was negative because he had been exposed. So they were real strict. And so they said, 'We have these vaccines, if you want one.' They didn't tell me I had to take it, but they said if you want one. I said, 'Sure. Can I get it right before the fights?' And they said, 'Sure.' And they didn't know that I had to go over to the actual clinic or the hospital."

Unfortunately, the UFC commentator recalls the turning point in his willingness to get vaccinated altogether.

"So I contact the doctor, I say, 'Hey, I'm here. Can you vaccinate me before the show?' He said, 'You actually have to go to the clinic on Monday. Can you stay until Monday?' I say, 'I can't. But I'll be back in two weeks for the next event.' So during the time where I was gonna get shot, then two weeks later they pulled it. So the Johnson & Johnson vaccine got pulled, because people were getting blood clots. So then two people that I knew that did get it, had strokes. I don't know if it was a coincidence, but it seemed rather odd. And then I started getting nervous."

Check out Joe Rogan talking about his reservations about the COVID-19 vaccine (2:08:30):

Rogan eventually contracted the disease, but was able to recover with alarming quickness, but his choice in treatment drew criticism.

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Joe Rogan previously criticized the public pressure to get vaccinated

On episode #2231 of his podcast, Joe Rogan aimed criticism at billionaire entrepreneur Bill Gates for allegedly encouraging people to get vaccinated for COVID-19.

"Bill Gates was on television telling everybody to get the vaccine, you won't get COVID. Then afterwards, 'Ah, that didn't work.'"

Check out Joe Rogan lambasting Bill Gates (1:50:00):

Rogan's anti-vaccine stance isn't unique in the MMA world, and is shared by numerous fighters.